CEA Signs Deal To Use Sands For 2006 CES

By TWICE Staff -- TWICE, 5/13/2004

Arlington, Va. — The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), producer of International CES, has contracted with the Sands Convention Center to use the facility for new exhibitors, those needing additional space and other exhibition needs during the Jan. 5 to Jan. 8, 2006 show.

"The continued growth of the consumer electronics industry is reflected in the demand for floor space at the International CES," said Gary Shapiro, president/CEO of CEA. "Demand for exhibit space currently exceeds the amount of space inside the Las Vegas Convention Center. We have explored a variety of options to accommodate our growth, and contracting space at the Sands will help with logistics and quench our members’ and exhibitors’ need for space."

Karen Chupka, events and conferences VP for CEA, said, "For the second year in a row, CES has sold out the existing convention center and is using outdoor structures to accommodate additional space needs. We will continue to balance the continued growth of the show with the need to provide efficient traffic flow and infrastructure support to our exhibitors and attendees."

After considering shifting existing categories to the Sands, CEA decided to use halls A and B of the Sands to help stimulate new partnerships and emerging technologies. Due to the expansion to the Sands Convention Center in 2006, the tent-like structures outside the Las Vegas Convention Center needed for the 2004-2005 shows will be eliminated, which shall help improve traffic flow and show logistics, CEA said.

With 1.3 million square-feet of space already sold, the 2005 International CES will be held in Las Vegas from Jan. 6 through Jan. 9.